Would it be a correct portrayal?

Question

It makes sense in my native language, not sure if it sounds right in English:

"I jump higher than a cat when I meet a cat"

(In case it's not clear enough: I'm trying to say I jump due to my fear of cats)

Answer 1

Hi,

Well, I think English speakers would get the idea, but most of us in the US would think "I jump higher than a cat" a little odd.  To be perfectly frank, I don't know of an exact analogous statement in English.  We say such things as, "I jumped out of my skin.", but that indicates being startled rather than just scared.   You might say something like, "I'm scared out of my wits when I see a cat."  But that doesn't include the jumping action.   We also talk about being higher than a kite, but that usually refers to emotion, being inebriated, etc.

I'm pretty much convinced that this is a cultural thing which has no exact translation.  Incidentally, "meeting" a cat can have different meanings.  Animal lovers might take that to mean seeing a cat for the first time, the way a person meets another person.  Complications, complications. :-)

FE

Answer 2

Sure, that sounds fine. You could shorten it a little:

"I jump higher than a cat when I meet one."